Los Altos: Council OKs use of horse in wedding

By Jason Green

Daily News Staff Writer

Posted:
02/26/2014 12:31:20 AM PST

Updated:
02/26/2014 12:56:43 AM PST

One couple is sitting high in the saddle, thanks to the Los Altos City Council.

On Tuesday night, council members overturned the police department's decision to deny Anupam Pathak and Theresa Bruketta's request to use a horse when they get married at the History Museum on June 15.

Pathak said the wedding will blend East and West cultures. In India, it is a tradition for the groom to ride a white mare or elephant in a colorful procession to meet his bride and her family.

"This is a joining of two cultures," the first-generation Los Altos resident told the council. "This is also representative of the diverse community that I've grown up in and am really proud of being a part of."

The council needed little convincing to grant the appeal.

"I personally think we need to respect the traditions and cultures of our residents," said Councilwoman Val Carpenter. "Twenty-three percent of our residents are now foreign-born. The city is changing. It's becoming more diverse."

The police department based its denial on an ordinance that prohibits the riding or leading of animals on public property. Councilwoman Jeannie Bruins noted that police Chief Tuck Younis had little choice in the matter.

"It's not like he's ... an ogre and not supportive of these kinds of things," she said. "It's his job to uphold the law."

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Carpenter pointed out that the Los Altos Village Association offers horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown during the holidays. Equines are also permitted in the Kiwanis Club's annual pet parade and were present when the History Museum opened.

"I understand that those are all city-sanctioned or approved public events, but to me this is a wedding -- it is a community event," she said. "I think we should support these joyous celebrations."

Pathak said other cities including San Francisco, San Jose and Fremont allow horses to be used in weddings.

"The mare that we're going to be used is specifically trained for weddings," he said. "It's pretty popular in the Bay Area to be doing this. So there are actually companies that specialize and train the horses."

The couple said they were willing to consider an alternate route for the procession that avoids the parking lot, which the museum shares with the library.

"I happen to have been to the library several times in the late afternoon hours and it is very busy," said Mayor Megan Satterlee. "The notion of taking 50 people down that center parking aisle concerns me."

The cost of any injury, loss or damage that results from a horse being used in the procession will fall on the couple.

Bruins said she was happy to grant the request but expressed relief that a larger animal wasn't being sought.